Detroit Free Press Education Writer

Snyder said spending on education has increased by $660 per student since he took office — an amount critics immediately called into question.

“I firmly believe in investing in K-12 education,” Snyder said.

His remarks came during a speech in which he touched on a number of education issues, including encouraging districts to consider year-round schedules, developing a uniform definition for truancy, implementing recommendations for improving the effectiveness of educators and investing more in school safety. Notably missing from his speech: any mention of the expansion of the controversial Education Achievement Authority, the statewide school district for the lowest-performing schools in the state.

Much of the response from K-12 educators had to do with Snyder’s attempt to set the record straight on school funding.

“I think that he put out statements and numbers that were unbelievable,” said David Hecker, president of the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan. “I don’t know how he could stand there and claim he increased funding $660 per student, when we know he slashed funding $470.”

Snyder pointed out that the increased investment doesn’t show up in the per-pupil grant schools receive each year, but instead in things like changes to the pension system for educators that provided relief for school districts.

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That was welcome relief, said Randy Liepa, superintendent for Livonia Public Schools. But the reality, he said, is his district has $20 million less in revenue today than it did five years ago.

“We’re in a much different position than we were in five years ago,” Liepa said.

John Austin, president of the State Board of Education, said Snyder isn’t taking into account that the state’s School Aid Fund, which used to solely fund K-12 education, has in recent years been used to fund higher education. This school year, $65 million of that fund paid to increase the number of slots available for early childhood education programs.

Snyder on Thursday recommended another $65-million investment in early childhood to eliminate the waiting list, which stood at nearly 30,000 before the current school year.

Snyder got support on the spending issue from Audrey Spalding, education policy director for the Midland-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank. She said the center has analyzed data from the Senate Fiscal Agency.

“What he said is certainly consistent with our analysis,” Spalding said.

Elizabeth Welch Lykins, a member of the East Grand Rapids Board of Education, said she was disappointed Snyder didn’t talk about investing more in K-12 education. Lykins, also a board member of Michigan Parents for Schools, said schools are increasing class sizes and cutting programs such as art and music — cuts she described as devastating.

“We need more money to get into the classroom,” Lykins said.

A brief look at education issues addressed by Snyder:

■ Year-round education: Snyder proposed a pilot program in which districts would test a year-round schedule. The schedule would eliminate the long summer break, and students would have more frequent breaks during the school year. Snyder said the schedule would particularly benefit low-income students.

■ Truancy: Snyder said Michigan needs a uniform definition of truancy to provide greater consistency. Currently, what it takes to be considered truant varies from district to district.